Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)

Today, nose surgery is much more conservative aiming to a natural shape, which will not evidence surgery and which will adequate to every patient respecting his/her physionomy and personality. The nose, as well as the ears, are organs which grow during the whole life. Therefore, some small changes in the shape of the nose may rejuvenate the aspect of the face.

What does the surgery consist of?

The surgery will vary according to every case in particular, but in general, it is a simple surgery done on an outpatient basis. It may also be performed with sedatives or general anesthesia. The scar is inside the nose except for some specific cases, therefore there is no visible scarring at all.

Rhinoplasty can change the shape of the tip or the bridge, narrow the span of the nostrils, reduce its length, narrow its base and in many cases simply soften nasal features in a way that, without changing features of the patient, you may get harmony between them. This surgery is the one that requires the most artistic vision, since physionomic aspects of the patient are to be taken into account in order to adequate the shape and size to every particular case.

A deviated septum that might cause an obstruction of the air flow must be corrected during the same operation.

Postoperative care

After some hours of postoperative recovery, the patient will go home carrying a splint for seven days. Nasal packs may also be placed inside the nostrils only when there was excessive bleeding or in case where a septumplasty has been done. Cold compresses may be indicated on the eyelids to diminish edema and postoperative swelling.

It is not a painful postoperative, but the first two days may be uncomfortable due to nasal congestion. The patient will be required to restrain from work activities. Hematomas around both eyelids must be taken into account which should disappear within 2 or 3 weeks, period in which patient will not be exposed to sun rays.

It is very important to avoid nasal traumatisms during the first 15 days. Patient must restrain from physical activities and sports for at least a month.

Bulnes 1937 PB "B"